Binding post



, fication.

Patented Mar. 10, 1925.

`UNI'I'ED STATES;

I 1,529,244 PATENT OFFICE. J

Huei B. EBY, or PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

BINDING POST.

Application med January 4, 1924. serial No. 684,290.

My invention relates-to binding posts as used in the electrical industry for securing an etlicient electrical connection with electrical apparatus.

IThe main purpose of my invention is conveniently and effectively to prevent removalof thecontact cap from the binding post. A further purpose is to protect the threads ofthe binding post from mechanical injury. A

'A further purpose is to provide a post adapted to easy and inexpensive \manufac ture and to meet eiiiciently the needs of service.

V Further purposes will appear in the'speciiication and in the claims.

. I have preferred to illustratemy invention by a` few forms among the many in l which it may .be displayed, selecting forms tions through the upper (cap) 'and bottom 1 sponding to Figure 6 before-the peening of the flange.

Fi re 4 isa central ing t e assemblage of the parts in Figures 1,

' ure 2.

which are practical, eiicient and inexpensive and which at the saine time Well illustrate the principles of my invention.

`Figuresl and 2 arefvertical central seccontaCtS, respectively-fused in my invention.

Figure is a side elevation of the stem of the binding post.

vertical section show- Figure 5 is a bottom plan view of Fig- Figure 6 1s a broken side elevation and partial section showing the screw and contact cap with a molded cover insulating the cap.

Figure 6a is a fragmentary view to reduced scale similar to Figure but showing the form of Figure 4.

Figure 6" is a fragmentary section corre- Figure7 is a bottom plany view ofA Fig- Figure 8 is a side elevation showing a post with attaching parts.'A

' a flange 21.

Figure 9 a side elevatiom'vpartly sec tioned, showing the lowericontact member and molded cover of Figure 8.

Figure 10 is a bottom plan view of Figure 9.

Figure 11 is a vertical longitudinal section showing a slightly modied form.

'In the ydrawings similar numerals indicate vlike parts.

Thestem 15 of my binding post is shown as threaded at 16 for convenient nut at tachment to any suitable support. It is provided with a lower contact member 17 which may be integral with the stem, as in Figure 11, or may be secured toit as by l screwing the member upon the threads. Ordinarily the member is sweated upon the thread at 18.

As the lower contact member .in the illusf' i 'y tration is preferably not full metal the diameter is reduced at 19 below that ofthe.

contact face 20, which is thei upper face of j The lower portion beneath the flange as at 22 is filled in by a -molded base intended to aford a better restv upon the support, to reduce the metal required and to ive finish. This iinish material is ordinari y an insulating composition. It is secured to the lower contact member against longitudinal movement by grooving the latter as at 23 to permit interlocking of the covering material with the contact member. Rotation may be stopped by latting one side asldotted *at 20.

The lower edge of the contact member eX- tends ,below the base as at 24 and is roughened in any suitable manner, as by theteeth shown, so las to bite into lthe surface of the `support to which the binding post is tobe applied, preventing turning of the binding post and giving'a rmer and more rigid seat to the post. The under side of the lower contact member is also musl recessedat 25 for the purpose of facilitating application'of the solder at the apex of the recessat26. L The bindingpost may beheld in position and engage the lower end of the support by nuts 27, 28. Between the nuts are located Washers 29 so that the nut 27 may be fastened against the back or underside of the support andthe nut 28 may be used for the double purpose of clamping the conductor between the washers 29, and acting as a locknut forthe nut, 27. 4

Y Above the contact surface 20 the stem or `post is formed as a cylinder "30 which is 4apertured at. 31 close to the lsurface 2() to permit passage of the conductor to be clamped. The stem-'may be encircled Y by a' v ,n e of the upper contact member isrknurledfso 30 exten-ds far conductor if desired.v The cylindrical part enough to provide for any' required opening between the clamping surface and the clamping surface 32 upon the' flange 33 .of an upper contact nut 34, like the'lower' corit-act member preferably not full metal and also'to allow for an inwardly directed `stop or abutment 35 between the surface 39, and

the thread 36 upon the upper end of Athe stem. Thisv thread isappreciably larger than the cylindrical portion ofthe stem soA Aas to provide for a shoulder 37 which engages with-the shoulder of flange- 35. Ob-

viously whether the stop-ange directly engages the lower end of the thread 36 or not is immaterial it may engage a shoulder or flange such as 37 in Figure 6 or its funetion may be carried out by a removable stop held in place invthe innerpart of the cap as in Figure 11, provided the 'lower partirof the interior thread38 ofthe cap can not be withdrawn through the bottom of the-cap.

Where themetal'of the upper and lower contact members is of small diameter, @lo give room for adecorative'molded covering;

the flanges 33 and 21 perform a useful function in presenting a larger contact area for the same diameter -of body than would otherwise be available.`

The thread 36 fits thread v38 within-the cap so that the stem 15 may be passed into the cap from the open cap `end. I have preferred to make the thread 38 sharp clear tothe bottom of the opening-against the abutment 35 sol aste be ab-le to navea 'l clearly definedl shoulder 37 engage with the -abutment 35 to stop upward screw movement of the cap contactv member, rather than, for example, to havel the thread 36 engage against an-abutment inthe form of an insufficiently-cut thread at the bot-tom of the cap recess.

Where through from' the open end of the cap, as in Ifig'ure 4, the lower contact member 17 must be a separate ,piece from the stem and must be attached after A upon the stem.

Athe cap has been placed Afterthe ,cap and stem have been assembled the top of the cap is closed and a molded insulating cover is placed about and upon the cap so as'to provide for easy turning of the cap contact. The" insulated cover may itself form theclosure at the top of -the cap or. a separate closure may be ap- I plied. In AFigure 4 I show a separate closure comprising .a plate 39 which lis slipped into a recess 40y at the top of the cap and may be subsequently covered with the molded cover. `I in'd it more convenient to the is intended to lbe passed snap the plate' into a recess or press it into a recess in which it `fits tightly in' order that the plate may not fall out during the covering, operation. The outer-surface 4l as to give arm hold upon'it:toiuthereoilerfY ing material.

The knurled upper contact member as de scribed with its plate closure may be vused without colering material to forman effec tive bindingopost` However, when, covered with l.material 42 it forms a much more desirable hold forftheuser, both because of the lthreads from exposure to dirt, grease, etc.

and reduces opportunity for shock and for injury to the fingers. v

Instead of theplate 39 the molded insulation maybe used to cover the top of the' binding Ypostfand V at the same time' prevent withdrawal `oi"the'gjstem` through the ,top `of `the cap ormexcessive upward movement of the stem withinfthe-ca-p, Either constructiongpregentsV` accidental loss voi' the cap when the River contact piece is not in place. When aplate such as 39 is not used, the up-per end 43 of the stem when in the position'shown in Figure 6 may be used to close the open end of the cap opening while. the insulation is being molded about the cap.

In Figure 6 I have shown a shoulder 37 at a .distance from the loweren'd of the thread at 37 as engaging the shoulder 35 at the inner end'of the cap openingvto prevent withdrawal of the cap contact outwardly from the stem. Obviously the purpose of what I have .called a shoulder 35 here may be served by any projection or incated, when the stem is to be inserted from the open (outer) end of the cap Contact, ory

may be formed by the inward peening, rolling, crimping or compression of the lower end of the cap, whether it be initially eX- Amay be formed initially in the shape indiy tended beneath the cap as at 352 (Figure 6") t' 'or not. vIn Figure ll an enlarged lower opening inthe cap 1s closed as at 44 by forcing a ring 45 into the enlarged opening andy peening the flange or abutment slightly against the. ring. -In this case theflange must be turned in to leave a flat lower contact surface.

As thus constructed the upper (cap) contact member is given a range ot' movement sufiicient for proper gripping of any conductor placed between its face and that of the lower contact. It provides a large surface of contact and permits the use of' a straight conductor passingy through the' opening 31 or a bent conductor encircling the stem wholly or in part. At the same time removal of the cap from the stem is prevented and longitudinal movement is imlted to. any predetermined range desired.

.In the form shown in Figure bithe stem is inserted-from the inside of the cap and` the ange- 352 is then peened overor cornpressed as shown into the space beneath the thread of the screw so as to prevent removal of the screw.

Inthe form shown in Figure 11 the outer end vof the cap contact member at 39 is to prevent. its withdrawal therefrom. This forml of stop at the outer end might .be used in Figure 4, for example, without the plate 39 and without the molded cover, lacking somewhat, however, in finish and protection against intrusion of grit or other dirt or grease. i

Whatever'the 'form of stop provided within the cap .to prevent relative movement ot the stem with respect to the capso 'as to retain the cap, and whetherthe stop engages portions of the thread or independent shoulder structure carried by the stem, acg cidental removal of the 4cap 'is prevented.'

The opening 31 may be of any shapedesired and slight play vbetween the thread 36 fand the interior thread'38 may be provided lto permit slight canting of the contact surface 32 with respectto the conductor to'bc engaged WhereI taper or'irreglilarltyv of thtI -conductor makes this canting desirable inorder to ensure good contact along 'the entire length o'f this part '-'of the conductor;

The comparatively. close sliding contact of the cylindrical portion 304 of the stem with 'the walls of the cap opening through which it passes protects against catching andshearing of fine wires and adds to the appearance of-the post.

The sweating` of the lower contact of the vstem improves the electrical conductivity.

at the same time that it prevents shifting of this contact from its preferred position level with the bottom of opening 31.

This application is a continuation in p art of my a Ilication for electrical bmdmg posts, filed 1ebruary 4, 1922, Serial Number 534,183,

It will be obvious that part or all of the benefit of my`invention may be-secured bythe vuse of other appliances and constructions. than those shown, whether to suit special needs, to meet theviews or whims of others skillediin the artfor to avoid merecopying of the-structure shown; and it is niv-:purpose tofinclnde .herein 'all such as fallr'jwithin the reasonable spirit and scopel of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what l y I claim. as new and desire to secure by Let-A ters Patent is t 1'.` Aln..electrical Vloindingwpost ste-m terf..l minating-in a threaded portion of substantially uniform diameter and,'at an intermegdiate. point of smaller diameter than the normal outside'of the`l thread to form a shoulderadjacent the part of smaller diameter, a capupon the stem overlapping the thread at. both ends, internally threaded and adapted during use to operate upon the the shoulderofthe `stem and prevent re- -noval of the cap `at the threaded end.

2. A binding post stem having threads at both ends, each of'suhstantially Vuniform diameter and an intermediate section of smaller diameter .than the outside of the thread at the .outer end and an outer clamp.- ing c ap tting the thread-'at the outer end` iu use engaging this thread to perform the clamping-function and atone end ot the cap of internal effective diameter smaller than the normal diameter of the thread at said outer endof the stem,.the cap being closed at the opposite end toprevent access to the outer endof said stem.v

3. A binding post stem having a'thread4 at. each end, onek thread larger than the other and at an intermediate point reduced to a diametel smaller than the-outside di-A ameter of the larger thread, a Clamping-cali)l moval of the cap at the-larger end, in com'- o bination with means for fastening4 the threaded end of smaller diameter to a sup'- port.

4. A binding post stem having a substantially uniform thread at each end, one

thread larger than the other, substantially.. free from threads at an intermediate point'.

lend of the cap' over'lthe larger threaded endet the stema' 5. Ay bindingpost stem having one end enlarged and threaded, in combination with a cap threaded 'to engage and in use`at lall times engaging the-.threading orf the stem and of reduced internal diameter adjacent its thread' providing a positive stop to bar withdrawal of `the stem Y thread through that end of the cap and havingfa contact face at the lower end of the portion oi?` reduced diameter and a retainingdevice for the-stem having a face for contact at 'its I. threaded at both ends, the threads at one upper end to cooperate with the firstface.

6. In an electrical binding post, a' stem end of the stem being of largerv diameter i 'than those at the; other, in combination with a cap of smaller diameter at its inner end than the threads of largerdiameter to provide a positive stop against removal, inv

use continuously interthreading with these threads, having a contact surfaceand adapted to be nut on the stem from the end of smaller diameter, a closure 'for theend ot' the cap, a cover for the vcap and closure insulating the cap and av fastening device for the stem having a second Contact surface of extended slze to receive a conductor.

outer end and a relatively reduced portion free from threads adjacent to the threaded; outer end, in combination with a cap for said stem interfitting'with the thread of the stem..

at all times in use and having a relatively reduced portion free from threads fitting close to that partof the stem` free frQm threads and protecting against entanglement of the clamped conductor inthe threads.

8. binding post stem having a threaded outer end and a relatively reduced portion free fromv threads adjacent to the threaded outer end, in combination with a cap for said. stem interfitting with the thread ofthe stem'at all times in use and having a relatively reduced .portion' extendin toward that part of the stem freefrom t reads to-v outer end, a closure for the outer end of the -';,cap and a cover for the cap and closure.

10. A binding post comprising a threaded member having threads at both ends, that 'a'tthe outer end being the larger, and an intermediate portion free from threads and of less effective diameter than the thread at the outer end," in combination with a cap 7. A binding post stem having a threaded interthreadinggwith'the thread on the outer end of the'lmernber at -all times in' use andI extending 'towards the unthreaded portion and interiorly engaging with the stemY to limit outward movement of the cap.

11. In a binding post, a stem, a contact member intermediate itslengt'h, a thread at Yone end of the stem, means foiycircuit connection to the stem, a can contact member internally threaded to engage thethread at the end of the'stem at all times in use and a plate closing one end of the cap and positively retained within the cap contact member, said cap being inwardlv extended at the other end' to less than the normal .diameter of the thread to prevent removal.

- 12. An electrical binding post 'consisting of a stem terminating in a threaded portion and of reduced diameter and free from threads adjacent the threaded portion, forming a shoulder betweentheportion free from threads. and the thread, and a clampat the outer end' and at the inner end radiallv reducedto less than the diameter ot the thread to posi-tively engage the shoulder Y ing cap.. mounted uoon the thread, .extend-` y ing` axially beyond it at both ends, closed and prevent removal" of the cap over thethread of the stem.

1.3. An electrical, binding :post stern-in clnding athreaded portion of larger diame ter than the remainder of the post stem, havinga portion free `from threads adoining the threaded -nortion so that the e`nloo larged thread forms an annular shoulder tothe outside of the portion ree from threads, in combination with a vclamping cap initially open at both ends, internally' threaded to a greater axial length than 'the axial length of the thread lupon the stem and ha v- 'ing at its inner end an inwardly directed abutment of smaller internal diameter than the diameter of the Shoulder to vabut against'- the shoulder and positively prevent removal Iof the cap in an outward direction.

14. Ina bindingpost of the type having a stem threaded at one end, a contact member intermediate its length and ymeans for cir-v cuit connection to the stem, the combination of a second`,tliread located upon the other' end of the stem, a shoulder between the thread upon thefstemrand the l.contact member, a cap having an .opening through it 4which is 'internally threaded to fit and in use engages the thread ontthe end of-the stem, a closure for the opening at the outer end of the cap and an abutment on the inner end of said cap of internal diameter smaller than the thread, adapted to engage the shoulder.

'. 15. In a binding post of the type having a. stem threaded at one end, and an inner contact member threaded thereon, thecombmation of a cylindrical intermediate portion upon the stem, a thread at the other end movable along its length.

of larger diameter than the first and an outer contact member roughened upon its outer surface. interiorly threaded to constantly interth1'ead"\vith the larger thread and inwardly extended at its inner end to a smaller diameter than its thread, providing for insertion of the stem and for positive:

engagement ot the inwardly extended part on the cap with the stem axiall7 to prevent removal of the cap.

16. In a binding post o't'the type having an intermediate Contact member, a thread upon, the inner end of the stem and a nut thereon to hold a support between the nut and cont-act member, the combination of a thread at the outer end of the stem larger than that at the inner end, a plain apertured cylindrical portion adjacent the larger thread. and of smaller diameter than said thread and an outer contact cap member in ternallv threaded to engage and, in use, constantl)v engaging the larger thread of the stem, open initially` at both ends and of diameter-at the one end smaller effectively than the thread but larger than the plain stem portion, litting the plain portion and 17. In a binding post, a cap clamping member internally threaded and having a portion free from threads at its inner end reduced in diameter below that of the largest diameter of the thread, a stem threaded at one end to engage with the interior thread of the-cap, and in use constantly engaging with it, adapted to be stopped from Withdrawal by the reduced diameter; 0I the cap,4 I

of plain cylindrical shape below the cap at part. a cap contact member threaded to se 45 eure it upon the stem and cooperating parts conuurising anabutli'ient ot reduced diameter and an axially facing shoulder respectivelv integral with the cap and integral \vi th the stem limiting by direct engagement with one another the outward motion of the cap with respect to the stem.

19. ln a binding post of the type in Which the stem carries a smooth cylindrical portion apertured to pass electric conductors, 5t' and an inner Contact member Whose outer surface is substantially tangent to the edge of the aperture, the combination of a thread upon the stem tothe outside' of the inner contact member and smooth portion, a cap Ve0 contact member threaded thereon, adapted to screw toward and away from the first contact member and lto clamp between the contact' members anv conductor passing through the aperture and cooperating parte respectively carried by the cap and carried by the stem nositiveh7 limiting by their engagement with one another the outward motion of the cap with respect to the stem.

HUGH AH. EBY. 

